Key Takeaways:
– Mad Max 2 second part of the trilogy, blows all the other middle movies in any other trilogy.
– Despite a tenfold budget increase, Mad Max 2 faced several production challenges.
– The Road Warrior was influenced by the works of Akira Kurosawa, Carl Jung, and others.
– Despite dangerous stunts and near-fatal accidents, the movie turned out to be a sensation.
– The Road Warrior remains an inspiration for filmmakers, cited by Steven Spielberg and James Cameron.
Often considered one of the best movies in a cinematic trilogy, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior stands tall. This sequel to the low-budget original Mad Max had over ten times the first movie’s budget. This extra financial muscle allowed George Miller, the film’s visionary creator, to mount the exhilarating action sequences that had eluded him in the first film. Notwithstanding the budget boost, creating The Road Warrior wasn’t an easy road trip for Miller.
Given Hollywood’s regular overtures following the success of Mad Max, George Miller had plenty of directing offers. However, he declined to helm the first Rambo film, choosing instead to work on a rock music-themed movie called Roxanne. Eventually, the script of Roxanne was put on the back burner, and Miller along with writer Terry Hayes shifted their focus to a Mad Max sequel.
Unlike the first film, The Road Warrior was influenced by Akira Kurosawa, Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell’s The Hero with a Thousand Faces, and the hyper-violence of A Clockwork Orange. While Miller had just 300,000 to 400,000 dollars for the original movie, The Road Warrior was queued with a budget of 4.5 million dollars, making it the most expensive Australian production at the time.
The filming was a notable challenge, taking place over 12 weeks during the winter of 1981. It was so cold that Mel Gibson, the lead actor, would quickly wrap himself under blankets after filming scenes. The filming took place in Broken Hill, near New South Wales, Australia, with the vast majority of the scenes shot in sequence.
Amazingly, The Road Warrior was written and released in less than a year. Despite featuring over 200 heart-stopping stunts, Miller’s commitment to the authenticity of the movie is commendable. Incidents like a stuntman nearly losing his life during a scene were kept in the final version for a dramatic impact.
Indeed, critics and fans agree that the risks paid of marvelously. The movie was a commercial and critical hit, generating profits more than thrice the original’s. It wasn’t just fans-loved it either, with both Miller and Gibson declaring it as their favorite Mad Max movie.
In addition to its success, The Road Warrior has had a profound influence on subsequent action movie directors. Renowned directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron have expressed their affection for the movie. Spielberg was so impressed that he selected Miller to direct a segment in Twilight Zone: The Movie.
Fun facts about the film include that the dog with Max Rockatansky was found in a nearby pound just a day before it was scheduled to be euthanized. Similarly, the most expensive set built for an Australian movie up until that point was the oil-refinery set in The Road Warrior.
In conclusion, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior remains an unmatched cinematic masterpiece. Despite its creation decades ago, it’s undeniable that the film still holds its place as one of the greatest action movies. The mind-blowing stunts, excellent cinematography, and captivating narrative continue to inspire filmmakers globally.
